It is with great pleasure
indeed that I email you today! Rest assured, that even though the
subject sounds sad, I am actually doing pretty well, even though leaving
you all was terribly hard; far more difficult than anything I have ever
gone through, even scout camp as a 12 y-o.
The
missionaries who flew out together (there were about 25) had a great
time getting to know each other and support each other. I sat on the
plane next to an employee from google (who does business stuff, not
engineering). I was also blessed to sit in the emergency exit row on the
plane, giving me extra leg room. I slept for a little bit, which,
surprisingly, supported me throughout the next day FAR more than you
would think it should have.
At the Atlanta
airport, I talked to two guys who were members of, like, an orthodox
religion, and a bunch of us missionaries (including me) talked to them
about some of their concerns. I said things that I didn't even know I
had the ability to say. They said that they would read the book of
mormon with an open mind. I guess time will tell if anything comes of
that.
Leaving the country was actually really
hard, but immigration went okay. I didn't even have to pay a fee. Seeing
the country was a real shock to my...culture-shock-ness. Lots of
graffiti. Lots of trash in the streets. Lots of poverty. Roads are
small. Traffic lights hang low. I don't see much of that now that I'm in
the MTC.
My companions are Elder Luis and
Elder Pingel (we are a threesome),and they are both great, and we get
along great. I actually like being in a threesome companionship. It
gives variety to our conversations at night, and I feel like we are
better friends for it.
We can see the ocean
from the MTC grounds! I wish I could get pictures onto this computer,
but it seems like all access to devices (including the device itself
smh) is blocked.
There are about 6 of us in my
district who are going to Trinidad, English speaking. And it turns out,
going to Trinidad is actually a possibility, whereas I thought that I
would only be able to go to Guyana.
The first two days were SO tough. So so tough indeed. My companions gave me a blessing, though, and ever since then I have been pretty much okay.
I
have been learning a whole lot. I found out that I really like personal
study, especially when I incorporate Preach My Gospel into it. Classes
are long and can be hard to get through, but a lot of people here are
extremely jealous of those of us going English speaking. I have also
felt really supported by the prayers from my "fan-club" (you guys) from
home, so thank you, each and all for your thoughts and prayers for me.
The
kitchen staff only speaks Spanish, so there is a language barrier. I
always want to respond to Spanish speakers in Japanese, but luckily, I
am always able to suppress the urge. The food is mostly good! There is
plenty of fresh fruit, MMMmmm!! We see a lot of cantaloupe, pineapple,
watermelon (yay!), and mango, but not much of other fresh fruits. There
seems to be a lot of meat, though. I'm not really used to it. .-.
President
and Sister Gulbrandsen of the MTC are so kind and loving to the
missionaries. They bring us treats in the evening. We even got donuts,
and they were GOOD! One of the best donuts I've ever had, for sure. It
was REAL.
My testimony of Joseph Smith grew on Sunday
as we watched the movie for his biography. In fact, there have been a
lot of instances so far where various aspects of the gospel were further
testified to me.
Other fun facts:
Doors don't close all the way lol
Humidity is a thing
It rains sometimes.
I have worn all the ties I brought at least once.
Until next time.
On the back row, my companion Elder Luis is the third from the left
side. My other companion, Elder Pingel, is...well, if you look at the
5th person from the left on the back row, he is the one directly below
him. Hope that helps. Edit: Photos added below
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